Chapter 2
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"You could marry me, "he had said, and Alice reeled mentally under the impact as she stared at him in stunned silence. She could not possibly have heard correctly. "You can't be serious Shane, "she managed eventually, her mouth so dry that she thought the saliva had dried up permanently. I've never been more serious about anything in my life, "he assured her, his eyes never leaving her face. Alice's colour returned slowly. "But you can't want to marry me" You are one of the famous boyband, and what your fans think about this.? All my fans will accept you as they accepted me. Beside, the lads definitely be happy and given us moral support, he filled in ruthlessly for her, watching the colour on her cheeks as she lowered her glance. "Perhaps if you explained, "she said in a voice barely above a whisper as her wide and troubled glance met his. My nana is dying of cancer. 'he said without preamble, and with a new harshness in his voice that told her how deeply it affected him. I suppose, has the desire to see me married before she died, and lately it's become almost an obession with her that I should find the right woman and settle down." "And you want me to marry you in order to set your nana's mind at rest, "she put in grasping the situation suddenly. "But it would mean we would have to lied to her." Shane's lips tightened. "I would go to any lengths to ensure that her last few months on earth are happy." "You must love her very much." A smile touched his lips. "I care for her very deeply. Alice rose from her chair and clasping her arms about her as if she was afraid she would come apart. "If I- if I married you, and- and after a few months your nana passed away, what then?" Our marriage will be annulled and I shall continue to pay your brother's university fees until he graduates, "he hesitated abruptly, adding." "Without demanding repayment." "Would you give me a little time to think about it?" she asked after a lenght pause stopping beside his chair. "How much time do you want?" he demanded with a hint of impatience in his glance. "Could I give you your answer tomorrow?" Shanerose abruptly and Alice, tall herself, found she had to raise her head considerable to meet his glance. I have a rehearsal tomorrow morning. Give me your answer when my rehearsal is over and meet you at your flat. He strode towards the door in his usual abrupt fashion, then turned, his hand on the door knob. "Thanks for the sandwiches. "The door closed behind him and Alice dropped into the chair he had just vacated and rise swiftly and remove the tray to the kitchen.
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Sorry I'm late Alice. Is all right. After he sit himself down, he saying, "let's get it over with, Alice. What have you decided ?" She placed her cup and saucer carefully on the table before her, swallowing nervously. "Shane, I -" "Yes or No?" "Yes," "Good, he said, rising to his feet and placing his empty cup in the tray. "I'll see you at seven this evening, then we can discuss the details." He was gone before Alice could think of anything further to say, and she covered her face with her hands to stem her rising hysteria. She had just agreed to marry Shane Filan from Westlife, and all he could say was, I'll see you this evening, then we can discuss the details. "What had she expected ? she wondered, pulling herself together. This was no ordinary marriage they were planning and there was no excited flush of happiness at her though of become his wife. His wife ! The words shocked through her like an electric current. What had she done? Bruce's face swam before her eyes, giving her answer in no uncertain terms. She could not let him down. Shane arrived at her flat that evening at seven sharp and he wasted no time in getting down to business. Alice paled visible. "You-you mean it's to be a while wedding with a reception and-and everything? He glance narrowed. My nana wouldn't settle for less than that." When is the wedding to be?" she asked resignedly. Three weeks from this coming Saturday. "So soon ?" she said. There isn't time to waste. "he said bluntly. All you have to do is hand in your resignation tomorrow, and buy yourself a wedding dress. "Must I resign?" Surely I could go on working after we're m-married? "As my wife you will remain at home until there's no longer a necessity for u to remain there." "Now, as far as your brother concerned. "he interrupted her thoughts, "Does he have a bank account anywhere?" "Yes", she murmured, giving him the name of the bank. Shane jotted down the name. I shall contact them tomorrow and make arrangements. "Now that we have that sorted out, the only thing that remains is to buy you an engagement ring, "he announced, rising to his feet. "Get your coat or something. We're going out. "Where are we going? "she asked in astonishment. "To buy a ring, naturally." At this hour ? she questioned disbelievingly. Here we are. "Shane said, packing the car at the entrance.
She somehow found herself seated beside Shane with a tray containing the most exquisited diamond rings in front of her. She don't know which one to choose. "They're all so- so beautiful, "she managed at last, her glance pleading as it met Shane's. "Perhaps if-if you would choose one?" "If you'll permit me, Mr Filan, his dark glance resting on Alice. "Your fiancee hasn't the coloring for the usual white diamond. She needs some thing with a little more warmth and character to match her appearance. "Shane turned slightly towards Alice, his glance sliding over her until her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. "You're right, and I think I know exactly which one would suit her best. "Shane removed a ring from the tray and talking her cold hand in his, he slipped the ring on to her finger. It was the most magnificent yellow diamond Alice had ever seen, and it was set between two smaller diamonds of a similar colour. The bit was perfect as it sparkled on her finger beneath the light. "Please, it's-it's far too expensive, "she managed to choke out the words. "Do you like it? " "It's beautiful, but- " "Then is yours, he said abruptly.
Alice remained seated where she was unable to take her eyes off the ring Shane had placed so carelessly on her finger. "May I wish you and your future wife every happiness, Mr Filan, "the man said. Thank you, 'Shane said, drawing Alice to her feet. "We appreciate your good wishes, don't we honey ?" Honey. The way he said it, sounded so natural. Where are you taking me? She asked when she realised he had passed the turn-off to her flat. "My nana is waiting at home to met you, "he told her. "You could have warned me, Shane, "she accused him with a touch of anger in her voice. Alice sat silently beside him, realising eventually that they were approaching Shane home. "I don't suppose it's necessary for me to remind you that we shall have to indulge in a little play-acting ?"Shane said as he switched off the engine and turned towards her. I'll do my best, "she promised. "You'll have to do a little more that your best, "he warned. "My nana may be ill, but she's still very perceptive, and I want to totally convinced". I shan't let you down, Shane, she said, her checks flushed with embarrassment as she heard him laugh softly to himself. "This way" said Shane, taking her arm and leading her up towards the heavy oak door. In the large, lit entrance hall, Alice drew back. "Shane…do I look all right ?" "No, you don't, " he said, the gleam of his eyes making her realise that she had phrased her question badly. "You're far too pale. His hands grasped her chin firmly and, before she had time to guess his attentions, his mouth had fastened on to hers. Caught off guard, she kissed him back, her heart beats quickening as she felt his hand in the hollow of her back drawing her closer until their bodies touched. She decided in a moment of panic, raising her hands to his chest and pushing him away roughly. Come ! he caught her hand in his and drew her towards a door leading off the right. He opened it without knocking, then placing a careless arm about her shoulder, he drew her into the living room. "Nana, " said Shane, his arm disturbing and protective about Alice as he propelled her forward. "I've brought my fiancee home to meet you. Alice, this is my nana, and this, he gestured towards the other woman, is my nana's nurse-companian, Sister Johnson." Serene Filan, her blue eyes large and smiling in her thin face as she gazed up at Alice. "My dear, I've been longing to meet you ever since…"she hesitated briefly, glancing at Shane. "Ever since Shane gave me the wonderful news. I've been looking forward to meeting you as well, Mrs Filan. Sister Johnson detached herself from Mrs Filan's side. I'll leave you for a while, but don't overtime yourself. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. It's already thirty minutes after your bedtime. "Sister Johnson warned. "Yes, yes." Serene Filan gesturned impatiently with her hands. "Go and do whatever it is you do when I'm safely tucked up in bed and stip ordering me about as if I were a child." "I merely mentioned-" It's all right, Sister Johnson," Shane intervened swiftly. "Just this once we'll slacked the rules, but we shan't keep her longer than another half hour." Sister Johnson nodded. "That woman is going to drive me insane, I tell you, his nana complained the moment they were alone, and Alice suppress a smile. "Come and sit here beside me, Alice, and you Shane draw up a chair so that I can look at you both without straining my neck. Now, she said taking Alice's hand once they were seated, "let me see your ring. Ah yes, you made the right choice, child." Shane made the choice, Mrs Filan. "Alice admitted. "Then I glad to see he had sense enough to select something that suited you, my dear," and Alice's glance went swiftly to Shane. "When is the wedding to be ?" Alice's mouth went dry, and Shane stepped swiftly into the breach. "We've decided not to wait longer than three weeks, nana." Three weeks, Alice thought. Three weeks of freedom before she become Shane Filan 's wife. His wife for a year, perhaps, but not forever.
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